What does « Ugly / Shameful » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Ugly / Shameful (قبح) in the Quran, with 1 verse in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

قبح

Ugly / Shameful

Root: ق - ب - ح

Creed (aqida) 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Ugly / Shameful

Al-Qubḥ is the opposite of ḥusn (beauty).

It applies to actions, beliefs, and appearances.

The Almighty says: 'And He will show them their ugliness' (Al-Hashr 15).

Qabbaḥahu Allah means Allah made him ugly.

Al-qabīḥ is what is blameworthy.

Ugly / Shameful in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 0

Surah Al-Qasas : 42 Meccan

﴿وَأَتْبَعْنَٰهُمْ فِى هَٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعْنَةً وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ هُم مِّنَ ٱلْمَقْبُوحِينَ﴾

And We caused to overtake them in this world a curse, and on the Day of Resurrection they will be of the despised.

Words from the same root as Ugly / Shameful

أبق

Flight (slave)

بحث

To search / To rummage

بحر

Sea / Ocean

برح

To move away / To leave

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Fri 24 Muharram
الجمعة 24 محرّم